There are a great many things I could write about today, although none of them have much to do with disability. A week ago, of course, I was celebrating England’s ashes victory, and considering whether to gloat at the Australians. Gloating, however, would not be appropriate: although the ashes tournament can sometimes turn vitriolic, the fact is there is a great kinship between England and Australia. They are our worthy adversaries on the field of play, and our brothers off it. I have watched with horror the footage of the terrible floods in Brisbane and other cities. I have been to Brisbane, and it is a great city. I really hope it can recover quickly. I’d like to express my solidarity with my Australian friends, and in the spirit of friendship send you here.

Friendly competition is one thing, vitriol is another. Of course, it is when that vitriol spills over into hatred that we need to worry. Unlike in cricket, I think politics is doing just that: it is spilling into acrimony and hatred. I think this is especially so in America; I’m as guilty as anyone – possibly more guilty than most – of getting worked up and hurling abuse at politicians. I may sometimes muse at the idea of killing some of them. But while I’m serious about wanting the Tories removed from power, I would never do anything to harm any of them physically. Politics is a matter of discourse and debate; like cricket it is a game, and like any good game it should never spill over. Whatever your political beliefs, after the debate is over there should always be friendship and respect, just as pomms and aussies should always be able to drink together at stumps. That’s why I, like any sane, rational person, am horrified to see how heated American politics has got: it is spilling into hatred and violence, and I don’t see how it can come back from the brink.